Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
04:23

A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease

Published on: April 28, 2019

Acute encephalitis

Dennis W Simon1, Yong Sing Da Silva, Giulio Zuccoli

  • 1Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA.

Critical Care Clinics
|March 30, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Acute encephalitis in children poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This guide offers pediatric intensivists a framework for early recognition, testing, and management to prevent severe neurologic outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Neurology
  • Infectious diseases

Background:

  • Acute encephalitis is a critical care challenge with difficult diagnosis and limited evidence-based therapies.
  • High rates of neurologic sequelae necessitate improved management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a diagnostic and management framework for pediatric intensivists facing suspected encephalitis.
  • To review common causes of encephalitis in children.
  • To promote early recognition and appropriate treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of common encephalitis causes in children.
  • Framework development for diagnosis and management.
  • Emphasis on empiric treatment and complication management.

Main Results:

  • Encephalitis diagnosis is often unconfirmed, hindering effective treatment.
  • Lack of clear therapeutic goals contributes to poor outcomes.
  • A structured approach can guide clinical decision-making.

Conclusions:

  • Early recognition and prompt, appropriate management are crucial for improving outcomes in pediatric encephalitis.
  • A framework is essential for addressing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
  • Proactive management of complications can mitigate neurologic sequelae.

More Related Videos

Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis26:48

Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: July 4, 2007

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Hepatic Encephalopathy01:29

Hepatic Encephalopathy

DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...